Mystery shrouds the case of missing Powellhurst-Gilbert woman, as human remains found

UPDATED! There are far more questions than answers about this unusual case: Why didn’t anyone notice a rotting corpse in the back yard — for years? Who is the deceased person who was discovered on January 2? Find out more by taking a look at this …

After the initial investigation, authorities still can’t positively identify the human remains found in this shed – hidden by overgrown trees, in Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood backyard.

Story and photo by David F. AshtonThe initial examination of the scene in the backyard of a Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood home – and the subsequent autopsy of the human remains detectives found there – hasn’t shed any light on a case that’s stumping officials.

“On January 2, approximately 11:45 a.m., Portland Police responded to the 14700 block of S.E. Rhone Street on a death investigation,” reported police spokesman Sergeant Greg Stewart. “A resident of the home found what they believed were human remains in a shed on the property. When officers arrived, they were directed to the remains of an unidentified person.”

Neighbors agreed that a foul stink emanated from the backyard area of this home, years ago – but they attributed the putrid odor to poor housekeeping.

In addition to Homicide Detectives, detectives from the Bureau’s Missing Person’s Unit responded, because a missing-person report had been filed on a woman who lived at the residence, Stewart added. “The subject of that report is 45-year-old Susan Cserepes. Ms. Cserepes was reported missing on May 13, 2007.”

Autopsy sheds little light
On January 4, the Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy on the found remains, Stewart continued. “Examiners were unable to identify the remains, or determine a cause of death. This is an ongoing investigation.”

Update: January 14
Detectives from the Portland Police Bureau’s Missing Person’s Unit, along with personnel from the Medical Examiner’s Office, have identified the human remains found in the shed. The remains have been identified as Susan Angela Cserepes of Portland. Ms. Cserepes was 45-years-old at the time she was reported missing.

Ms. Cserepes was identified through dental records by the Medical Examiner’s Office. The cause and manner of death are still under investigation.